Lychnis flos-cuculi – the charming hodgepodge of marsh flowers

Lychnis flos-cuculi, also known as Silene flos-cuculi, is an elegant perennial plant that stands out for its deep pink to carmine-red flowers and delicate, fringed petals. In the Netherlands, this plant is often called the poppy or rattle and is a true favorite for natural gardens, wet borders, and prairie gardens. Thanks to its graceful, airy appearance and long-lasting blooms, Lychnis flos-cuculi brings color and life to any garden.

The plant is loved by garden enthusiasts for its charm, but also by ecologically minded gardeners because it attracts bees, butterflies and other pollinators, which contributes to the biodiversity in your garden.

Characteristics of Lychnis flos-cuculi

• Flower colour: deep pink to carmine red

• Height: 40–80 cm

• Flowering period: May – July

• Leaf: lance-shaped, gray-green and softly hairy

• Winter hardy: yes

Lychnis flos-cuculi forms a compact rosette of leaves in its first year. In the second year and beyond, airy, elegant flower stems with numerous fringed flowers appear. The showy flowers are rich in nectar, making them a favorite food source for bees, bumblebees, and butterflies.

Location and care

Lychnis flos-cuculi grows best in moist to slightly moist, humus-rich soil in full sun or light shade. This plant cannot tolerate dry, poor soil and performs best in an environment that mimics the natural conditions of marshy or grassy meadows.

Care tips:

• Sow directly in the ground in spring or autumn, or grow in pots first for planting out later.

• Keep the soil moist, especially during droughts.

• Remove spent flowers to prolong flowering and keep the plant tidy.

• Divide older plants in spring to promote rejuvenation and better flowering.

Lychnis flos-cuculi is low-maintenance once established and combines well with other marsh and border plants.

Application in garden and border

Lychnis flos-cuculi is ideal for moist borders, cutting gardens, prairie gardens, and natural gardens. Its airy, fringed flowers create a playful effect that contrasts beautifully with tightly growing or leafy plants. Combine this plant with:

• Red or purple perennials such as Campanula or Salvia

• Ornamental grasses for an airy, natural look

• White flowers for a fresh pop of color

Thanks to its sturdy stems, Lychnis flos-cuculi is also suitable as a cut flower. The flowers retain their shape and color in a vase and are ideal for bouquets and dried flowers.

Why choose Lychnis flos-cuculi?

✔ Elegant deep pink to carmine red flowers – airy and graceful
✔ Blooms from May to July for long-lasting colour in the garden
✔ Hardy and easy to maintain
✔ Attractive to bees, bumblebees and butterflies
✔ Ideal for damp borders, natural gardens and cutting gardens
✔ Suitable as a cut flower and for flower arrangements